Pente de macaco (Apeiba tibourbou AUBL): uma alternativa para reforço em compósitos poliméricos antes e após mecerização

Abstract

The use of vegetable fibers as substitutes for various synthetic reinforcements in polymer composites have shown great potential for technological applications. This work aimed to the development and mechanical characterization of a polymer matrix composite reinforced with natural fibers of ‘Monkey Comb’ (Pente de Macaco). It was prepared composite plates, arranged on the bidirectional polymeric matrix. It was performed an alkaline treatment in the fibers known as mercerization. The concentrations of NaOH were varied 2.5%, 5% and 10% and the gradient time was maintained constant for on the one hour. The fibers that were treated were distributed in the polymer matrix in longitudinal direction. All composites were prepared with varying amounts of fibers, previously dried. Was applied the compression molding, the plates obtained to after-curing for 48 hours at 80 ° C. The specimen were sawed manually to perform the tensile test according to ASTM D- 3039. The results showed that ‘Monkey Comb’ fibers has a great potential as reinforcement in polyester resin, and do not exhibit significant improvements in the mechanical properties after mercerization.